Fountain sponge



July 29, 1941. w. E. HABECK FOUNTAIN SPONGE Filed 001;. 22, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet l NM 5 W Inventor h f///'am /7 a ec .4 fiomey July 29,1941. w. E. HABECK Y 2,250,909

FOUNTAIN SPONGE Filed Oct. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor M/b'am 15.Ha eck I By A tiorney Patented July 29, 1941 UNlTEjD STAT-E T 'FFl CQE'2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in cleaningdevices designed primarily for use in cleaning automobiles and othervehicles and has for its primary object to provide a sponge havingperforations therein and connected to a suitable source of water supplyunder pressure whereby to produce a spray which is subjected to the bodyof the automobile for washing loose dirt and other substances therefromwhile the sponge is being used for cleaning the same.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novelconnection for the hose to which the sponge is attached adapted torelieve the hose of excess pressure and also with a view ofstrengthening the hose at its point of connection with the hosecoupling.

'A still further object is to provide a device of this character ofsimple and practical construction, which is efficient and reliable inperformance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise welladapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference bing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which Figure 1 is a sideelevational view of the hose and fountain sponge connected thereto,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through the sponge,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on a line 33of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the hose illustrating one of theguard rings mounted thereon, and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the hose coupling.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose ofillustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention,the numeral 5 designates a sponge of predetermined configuration andhaving a chamber 6 formed therein within which is fitted a rigid platemember I, the plate having a beading 8 formed at its marginal edges toprevent cutting into the body of the sponge. A plurality of dischargepassages 9 are formed in the sponge and extend from the chamber 6outwardly through one wall thereof.

A rigid tube II] has one end disposed flatwise against the plate I inthe chamber 6, the other end of the tube extending outwardly through anopening II formed in an end wall of the sponge and on which isfrictionally fitted one end of a rubber hose I2. To the other end of thehose I2 is secured a pipe fitting designated generally at I3 whichincludes a rigid tubular member I4 having a flange I 5 formed on one endand having its other end frictionally fitted within the hose I2, thehose being secured in position on the member I4 by means of a hose clampI6. A beading Il may also be formed on the inner end of the tubularmember I4 to assist in retaining the hose in position thereon.

Engaged behind the fiange I5 is the conventional threaded hose couplingmember I8 adapted to be threadedly engaged with the outlet of a waterpipe or other supply line under pressure.

A portion of the tubular member I4 is of reduced diameter as shown at I9todefine a, shoulder 20 against which the adjacent end of the hose I2 isadapted to abut. The reduced portion of the tubular member I4 is alsoformed with a plurality of perforations 2| which are normally covered bythe end of the hose I 2 as shown to advantage in Figure 5 of thedrawings.

A rubber bulbous shield 22 is provided with a neck portion 23 which isslidably fitted over the hose I 2 at a point between the clamp It andthe coupling I8, the other end of the bulbous member 22 being formedwith an enlarged opening 24 within which the coupling I 8 is inserted.The member 22 covers a portion of the tubular member I4 provided withthe perforations 21, so that in case of excess pressure of waterentering the hose I 2 the water will be forced through the perforations2| so as to expand the hose I2 into the dotted line position as shown at25 to permit the escape of water into the member 22 and out through theenlarged opening 24, the elasticity of the member 22 permitting suchescape of the water.

. Also in order to enable the coupling IE to be attached in position tothe supply line, the member 22 may be slidably moved inwardly of thehose I2 and then returned to its position as shown in Figure 5 of thedrawings.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the device is admirablyadapted for use in cleanmg automobiles and other vehicles, the spraypassages 9 being formed on one side of the sponge only in order that thespray may be properly directed on the work.

In order to protect the body of the car from injury by the rubber hoseI2 I provide a plurality of sponge rings 26 which are secured in spacedrelation on the hose adjacent the sponge 5.

It is believed the details of construction, ad-

vantages and manner of use of the device will be readily understood fromthe foregoing without further detailed explanation.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim is- 1. A fountaincleaning device comprising a soft porous head having a chamber therein,a rigid plate in the chamber forming an imperforate back wall for thechamber, discharge passages extending from the chamber through a wall ofthe head and a rigid liquid supply pipe extending through a wall of thehead and terminating in the chamber fiatwise of the plate to space thewall of the chamber having the discharge passages therein from theplate.

2. A cleaning device comprising a porous head, a rigid plate embedded inthe head having a beading at its edges to space the plate from thematerial of the head to form a chamber therein, said plate forming animperforate back wall for the chamber, discharge passages extending fromthe chamber through the wall of the head and a rigid liquid supply pipehaving a discharge end extended into the chamber for supplying liquidthereto, said inner end of the pipe spacing the wall of the chamberhaving the discharge passages therein from the central portion of theplate.

WILLIAM E. HABECK.

